Thanks for visiting. On a semi-daily basis we scan Florida's major daily newspapers for significant Florida political news and punditry. We also review the editorial pages and political columnists/pundits for Florida political commentary. The papers we review include: the Miami Herald, Sun-Sentinel, Palm Beach Post, Naples News, Sarasota Herald Tribune, St Pete Times, Tampa Tribune, Orlando Sentinel, the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Tallahassee Democrat, and, occasionally, the Florida Times Union; we also review the political news blogs associated with these newspapers.

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The Blog for Monday, January 01, 2007

Three More Seats?

"Census numbers released in late December show Florida has gained enough population to put it in line to gain at least two new seats in Congress after the 2010 Census is completed. Florida now has 25 seats in Congress."

"If they get three, they will be larger than New York," said Clark Bensen, of Polidata, a political data consulting firm based near Washington, D.C.

New York currently has 29 seats, but is expected to lose at least two more seats at the next census because of its slow growth compared with other states. If Florida gets three new seats, its 30 seats would make it the third-biggest delegation after California and Texas.

Elizabeth Campbell, the retired Navy Chief who ran unsuccesfully against HD 3 Rep. Holly Benson last November, announced that she will run in the special election to replace Benson, was recently appointed by Gov.-elect Charlie Crist to be his new secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Campbell is a retired Navy Chief with over twenty-two years of distinguished service. She retired from active duty on March 31st 2006, and proudly hails from a family dedicated to service.

More from her bio:

Masters Degree from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Aeronautical Science, and has been working toward another Masters Degree from The University of West Florida in Political Science. Her many years experience in management and teaching, have earned her a position as adjunct faculty at Embry Riddle, where she will continue to help educate and shape the minds of students.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal editorial board, perhaps Jebbie's most incisive critics over the last eight years, is far too kind to him today: "Adieu to the audacious innovator".

The Sun-Sentinel is going to miss their beloved Jebbie: "Jeb Bush began his amazing run in Florida politics as the brash outsider, blessed with high energy, a conservative ideology and a blue-chip name. He ends it today as a popular two-term governor with rock-star status and a string of accomplishments." "Jeb's Legacy".

Out in the blogosphere, a lengthy diary at dKos begins with this: "'My way or the highway' King Jeb Bush leaves a legacy of damage that will shadow Florida long after his departure." "Jeb Bush, Carpetbagger".

Higher Education, Florida Style

"Nearly $9 million in Bright Futures Scholarship and Florida Student Assistance Grants went to private, for-profit colleges and universities last school year, and few of them are accredited by the group accepted as the "gold standard" in mainstream education. Among the beneficiaries:"

• A luxury spa operator boasting $397 million in revenue in 2005 to train its future employees in medicinal massage and holistic skin care. The owner just opened a facility in downtown Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

• A school where, for double the tuition of a public university, students learn formulas for mixing herbs and how to refine their "Qi," or spiritual energy, to thwart disease.

• The Sunstate Academy of Hair Design in Clearwater, which received more than $10,000 since 2001 from students whose good grades earned them state-funded college scholarships.

"The money machine is still printing for Gov.-elect Charlie Crist, even without an inaugural dress ball to fund. Crist, after raising a record $19.6 million to win the Florida governor's race, hopes to drum up another $1.2 million for the party afterward - with enough to spare for charity." "Donors line up to give to Crist".

Mike Thomas shared this wisdom with us the other day: "Any other chief executive with his record of budget management, education reform, job creation, crisis management and towering poll ratings would be an obvious choice for the White House." "Mike Thomas: Next act for Jeb is prematurely bushwhacked".

Disconnect

"The results three months ago were eye-opening: Almost half of the Floridians polled said things were heading in the wrong direction in the state. Respondents to the Florida Chamber poll cited several reasons: the homeowners insurance crisis, education and the property tax pinch. Most telling was where the blame did not fall. In the same poll, Gov. Jeb Bush was showered with a favorable rating by 63 percent of respondents." "Jeb's Legacy".

Ron Reagan

On Friday,

the incoming House Speaker picked state Rep. Ron Reagan, R-Bradenton, to lead the House Committee on Insurance. The committee is charged with getting a handle on perhaps the biggest political issue of the year.

Reagan, an insurance agent for 26 years, said it's a weighty responsibility for sure, but he is excited to have a prominent role on such a critical issue.

"Ecologist Charles Lee, director of advocacy for Audubon of Florida in Maitland, offers a theory for the seeming lack of enthusiasm for solar power: 'We are very much a crack (cocaine) addict, except our crack is fossil fuels.' But power industry and state officials said the biggest obstacles facing solar are dependability and cost." "Fla. Utilities In Dark With Solar Energy".

Movin' On Up

"Friday afternoon, Rep. Dennis Ross received a late Christmas present, or early April Fool's joke, depending on how you look at it."

Ross, a Lakeland Republican, was bumped upstairs - way upstairs - right into the Florida House leadership circle by House Speaker Marco Rubio, R-Coral Gables. Ross withdrew from the speaker's race two years ago to support Rubio.

Rep. Holly Benson, R-Pensacola, was recently appointed by Gov.-elect Charlie Crist to be his new secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Benson, who had been a part of the inner House leadership with Rubio, had to give up her House seat to take the job.